How do you count pregnancy weeks before an abortion?
Medically reviewed by our consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (MBBS, MS OBG). Last reviewed: 5 November 2026.
Lawful, licensed, confidential. Termination of pregnancy at Pai Hospital is carried out lawfully under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended), at a licensed facility, by registered medical practitioners, within the limits and the certification that the Act requires. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, at any stage, for any reason. Your identity and your treatment are confidential.
Before an abortion, pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last menstrual period, not from the day you had sex or conceived, so you are often further along than you think. If your cycle is irregular or you are unsure of the date, an ultrasound scan confirms the weeks and where the pregnancy is.
How many weeks pregnant are you, and how are weeks counted?
Doctors everywhere count a pregnancy from the first day of your last menstrual period, often called the LMP. They do not count from the day you had sex, and not from the day of conception. This can feel strange at first, because in the early part of that count you were not yet pregnant at all. But it is the standard way of dating a pregnancy, and it is the count your doctor and your scan report use.
The reason is simple. Most women can remember when a period started, while the exact day of conception is almost never known. Ovulation, and so conception, usually happens about two weeks after a period begins in a regular cycle. So by the time a period is missed, the count of weeks is already higher than many women expect.
Why you may be further along than you think
A very common surprise is to hear a number of weeks that sounds too high. Usually nothing is wrong: the count simply began at the last period, not at the moment you think the pregnancy started. Light bleeding in early pregnancy can also be mistaken for a period, which makes the remembered date wrong. And a home test shows only that a pregnancy hormone is present; it cannot tell you how many weeks it has been.
So please do not rely on your own arithmetic, or on an online calculator, to decide what is possible for you. Use it only as a rough guide, and let a proper assessment give you the real answer.
When your cycle is irregular or the date is unsure
Counting from the last period works only when cycles are regular and the date is remembered clearly. It is not reliable if your periods are long, short or unpredictable; if you have recently stopped or changed contraception; if you have recently been breastfeeding or had a pregnancy end; or if you simply cannot recall the date. In all of these situations the scan, not the calendar, gives the true count.
The scan confirms your weeks, and where the pregnancy is
An ultrasound measures the pregnancy itself, so it gives an accurate number of weeks even when the date of your last period is unknown. It also shows where the pregnancy is sitting, which is just as important. You can read more about why this scan is always done first on our page about the ultrasound before an abortion. The scan is done only for your safety and to guide your care; we do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, at any stage.
Why earlier is simpler
Once you know you do not wish to continue a pregnancy, it helps to be assessed promptly. In general, earlier care is simpler and gentler, with a quicker recovery, and more options stay open. The choice of whether to continue is yours, and we will never rush it. What we encourage is not to wait for the medical assessment, because it is your confirmed weeks that shape the options. Read more on why sooner is simpler.
What the MTP Act says about weeks, in general terms
An abortion in India is lawful when it is done under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP Act) at a government-licensed facility, by registered doctors. As amended in 2021, the Act links what is permitted to the stage of pregnancy: up to a set stage one doctor's opinion, on the grounds the Act sets out, is enough; for a later stage the opinions of two doctors are needed, and only for specified categories of women; and each stage has its own conditions. This is why your weeks must be known accurately, and why they are confirmed by a scan rather than guessed. The doctor will explain what applies to you after your assessment. Which method suits you is a separate question, covered on our page about medical or surgical abortion.
Please never take abortion pills bought without a doctor, or sent by post. Medicines are given only on a registered doctor's prescription, after a scan has confirmed your weeks and that the pregnancy is inside the womb.
Private, lawful care in Goa
Pai Hospital in Goa provides this care lawfully under the MTP Act at a licensed facility. As an adult, you do not need anyone's permission but your own, and married and unmarried women are treated with exactly the same respect. Your identity is protected by law (section 5A of the MTP Act), and protected in practice by the people looking after you: nothing is discussed outside the room or shared with anyone who telephones asking. Our staff are trained over years to be non-judgemental.
For a surgical abortion, which is done under anaesthesia, our policy is that you come with a responsible adult (a friend, a relative or anyone unrelated, above 18 years of age) who can take you home afterwards; for other types of abortion, you may come on your own. If arranging a companion is hard, tell us when you call and we will help you find a way.
Getting started
If you are unsure how many weeks pregnant you are, call or message us. On the phone we can tell you whether an abortion is possible in your situation and help you plan your visit; we do not give any treatment or medicines over the phone. The scan and any care happen at the hospital in Goa, in person. This guide is by the Pai Hospital Team. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
How do I count how many weeks pregnant I am?
Count from the first day of your last menstrual period, not from the day you had sex. That is how doctors everywhere date a pregnancy, so the count already includes about two weeks before conception. If you are unsure of the date or your cycle is irregular, a scan gives the true figure.
Why do doctors count from my last period and not from conception?
The first day of a period is a date most women can remember, while the day of conception is almost never known for certain. Counting from the period gives every doctor the same starting point, so your dates mean the same thing on every report and at every visit.
My periods are irregular. How will I know my weeks?
When cycles are long, short or unpredictable, the date of the last period cannot be relied on. An ultrasound scan measures the pregnancy itself and gives an accurate count of weeks. Please do not try to work it out alone; come in and be assessed.
Does the law have week limits for an abortion?
Yes. The MTP Act, as amended in 2021, sets the stages at which one doctor's opinion is enough, a later stage at which two doctors' opinions are needed for specified categories of women, and the conditions for each. Your confirmed weeks decide which applies, so the doctor explains the details in person.
I am unmarried. Can I still come in?
Yes. This care is lawful in India for married and unmarried women alike. As an adult, you do not need anyone's permission but your own, and you are treated with the same respect and the same confidentiality as anyone else.
I do not have transport. Can you help?
Yes. Patient transport at zero cost to the patient is available from across Goa and nearby areas. Call or message us, tell us where you are, and we will help you plan the journey.
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This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.